2026 VA disability compensation rates.
Monthly VA disability pay by rating and dependents. Plus: how a service-connected rating waives the VA loan funding fee and boosts your qualifying income.
| Rating | Veteran alone | + Spouse | + Spouse & child | + One child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $176 | $176 | $176 | $176 |
| 20% | $347 | $347 | $347 | $347 |
| 30% | $537 | $600 | $648 | $579 |
| 40% | $774 | $859 | $923 | $830 |
| 50% | $1,102 | $1,208 | $1,287 | $1,172 |
| 60% | $1,396 | $1,524 | $1,619 | $1,480 |
| 70% | $1,759 | $1,908 | $2,018 | $1,856 |
| 80% | $2,045 | $2,215 | $2,341 | $2,156 |
| 90% | $2,298 | $2,490 | $2,631 | $2,423 |
| 100% | $3,831 | $4,045 | $4,201 | $3,974 |
Rates effective December 1, 2025 (payments received starting January 2026). Illustrative — verify against VA.gov for official amounts. Rates for 30%+ ratings with additional dependents (parents, more than one child, aid & attendance) require the full VA lookup.
How much is 80% VA disability?
The 80% rating is one of the most searched tiers. In 2026 it pays $2,044.89/month for a veteran alone, $2,214.89 with a spouse, $2,340.89 with a spouse and one child, and $2,155.89 with one child and no spouse. Every dollar is tax-free, and the rating waives the VA loan funding fee.
Looking for an older year? Rates for 2020, 2021, and other prior years were lower — each December's COLA adjusts the table, so always compare against the current-year figures above rather than a cached chart.
If you have any VA rating
Your VA loan funding fee is waived.
A service-connected disability rating of any percentage — even 10% — completely waives the VA loan funding fee. On a $400,000 purchase with 0% down, that's ~$8,600 you keep at closing on a first-use loan (2.15% funding fee), or ~$13,200 on subsequent use.
Frequently asked questions
How much is 80% VA disability per month in 2026?+
At the 80% rating, monthly compensation is $2,044.89 for a veteran alone, $2,214.89 with a spouse, $2,340.89 with a spouse and one child, and $2,155.89 with one child and no spouse (rates effective December 1, 2025). Additional dependents raise the amount — verify your exact figure on VA.gov.
When do 2026 VA disability rates take effect?+
New VA disability compensation rates take effect December 1 of each year, aligned with the Social Security COLA. December 1, 2025 rates apply to payments received in January 2026 and remain in effect through November 2026.
Does any VA disability rating waive the VA loan funding fee?+
Yes. A service-connected disability rating of any percentage (even 10%) waives the VA loan funding fee entirely. Purple Heart recipients and surviving spouses receiving DIC also qualify for the waiver.
Does VA disability compensation count as income for a VA loan?+
Yes. VA disability compensation is treated as stable, nontaxable income for VA underwriting purposes. VA underwriting primarily relies on residual income and your actual documented income. Depending on the applicable agency or investor guideline and your specific tax situation, a lender may be able to apply a gross-up to nontaxable income for qualifying purposes, but the percentage (if any) is not fixed or guaranteed and should be confirmed with your loan officer.
How does 100% VA disability affect VA loan qualification?+
A 100% disability rating maximizes tax-free income, waives the funding fee, and may qualify you for additional state-level property tax exemptions. Combined, these can meaningfully increase how much home you qualify for.